List of Rivers in Brazil

Brazil’s waterways shape the country’s geography and daily life, running through rainforest, savanna and coastal plains. From transport and irrigation to biodiversity hotspots, rivers are central to many communities and ecosystems across Brazil.

There are 44 Rivers in Brazil, ranging from Amazon to Xingu. For each entry the table lists Length (km),Basin,States so you can compare size and location quickly; you’ll find below.

How accurate and up-to-date is the length and basin information?

The lengths and basin assignments are based on the most commonly cited sources and government data, but measurements can vary by methodology and recent surveying; treat the list as a useful reference and check primary hydrological or government publications for critical research or engineering use.

Can I use this list to plan travel or study regional differences?

Yes — the Length (km), Basin and States columns help you spot major rivers worth visiting and understand which states they cross, but for travel you should consult local guides, seasonal flow reports and safety advisories since access and conditions change throughout the year.

Rivers in Brazil

Images and Descriptions

Amazon

It is Brazil’s largest river by discharge and one of the longest in the world. It flows across northern Brazil through the Amazon Basin. It anchors this list as the most important river system in the country.

Paraná

It is a major river of southern Brazil and a key part of the La Plata Basin. It forms long stretches of national and international borders. It ranks among Brazil’s longest rivers and supports navigation and hydroelectric dams.

Madeira

It is one of the Amazon’s biggest tributaries by volume. It drains large parts of Bolivia and western Brazil before joining the Amazon. It is included for its size and basin importance.

Purus

It is a long, winding tributary of the Amazon in western Brazil. It flows through remote rainforest and carries large seasonal floods. It represents classic Amazon tributary rivers on this list.

Juruá

It is a meandering Amazon tributary in the western basin. It cuts deep into rainforest with many oxbow lakes. It ranks among the longer tributaries of the Amazon.

Paraguay

It is a central South American river that crosses Brazil’s Pantanal region. It flows south to join the Paraná and the La Plata system. It is vital for wetland ecology and inland transport.

Negro

It is a major blackwater tributary of the Amazon that meets the main river at Manaus. It carries dark, acidic water from forest soils. It is important for biodiversity and river confluence studies.

São Francisco

It is a large river that runs north then east across eastern Brazil to the Atlantic. It serves several states and supplies water to dry regions. It is central to northeast agriculture and history.

Tocantins

It is a major northward river that drains central Brazil to the Atlantic. It forms the Tocantins-Araguaia system and is separate from the Amazon proper. It supports navigation and hydropower in the central region.

Araguaia

It is the main tributary of the Tocantins and runs down central Brazil. It creates a long river valley and many islands. It is included for its size and role in the Tocantins system.

Tapajós

It is a clearwater tributary of the Amazon in Pará state. It flows north through rainforest and joins the Amazon near Santarém. It ranks among the major western Amazon tributaries.

Xingu

It is a large Amazon tributary that runs through eastern Pará. It drains upland forests and savanna into the Amazon. It is notable for its biodiversity and major infrastructure projects.

Japurá

It is a long tributary of the Amazon that originates in Colombia. It flows east across remote rainforest into Amazonas state. It is one of the Amazon’s important transnational rivers.

Javari

It is a border river between Brazil and Peru in the western Amazon. It runs through very remote rainforest and indigenous territories. It is included for its length and boundary role.

Iguaçu

It is a southern river that forms the border with Argentina. It is famous for the Iguaçu Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls. It feeds the Paraná system and ranks high in regional importance.

Uruguay

It is a temperate river that runs along Brazil’s southern border. It joins the Paraná to form the Río de la Plata. It is key for irrigation, navigation, and regional towns.

Parnaíba

It is a river in northeastern Brazil that forms the border between Maranhão and Piauí. It flows north to the Atlantic and drains a large semi-arid region. It is included for its regional importance.

Tietê

It is a major river in São Paulo state that runs west toward the Paraná system. It passes through São Paulo city and serves transport and hydro projects. It is known for extensive urban influence.

Paraíba do Sul

It is a southeastern river that flows through São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. It reaches the Atlantic near Rio de Janeiro state. It supplies water to major cities and industry.

Jequitinhonha

It flows from Minas Gerais to the Atlantic in Bahia. It drains a historically poor region and has strong seasonal flow. It is important for regional geography and development studies.

Doce

It runs from Minas Gerais to the Atlantic in Espírito Santo. It drains a large mining and agricultural region. It is included for its length and economic role.

Branco

It is a northern river in Roraima that feeds the Rio Negro. It drains savanna and upland areas in the far north. It is a key tributary in the upper Amazon system.

Jutaí

It is an Amazon tributary in western Amazonas state. It flows through remote rainforest and many protected areas. It represents lesser-known but long Amazon rivers.

Jiparaná

It flows in Rondônia and joins the Madeira River. It drains settled and agricultural areas in the Brazilian west. It is included for regional basin significance.

Guaporé

It is a border river between Brazil and Bolivia that feeds the Madeira system. It crosses tropical lowlands and wetlands. It is important for cross-border hydrology.

Mamoré

It is a large river in Bolivia and western Brazil that helps form the Madeira. It drains Andean foothills into the Amazon system. It ranks as an important upper tributary.

Grande

It is the Rio Grande that rises in Minas Gerais and helps form the Paraná River. It runs across southeastern Brazil and supports agriculture and dams. It is central to the Paraná basin.

Paranapanema

It is a medium river that runs along the São Paulo–Paraná border. It drains into the Paraná River. It is included for its regional role in southern Brazil.

Cuiabá

It flows through Mato Grosso into the Pantanal and joins the Paraguay River. It drains central Brazil and supports wetlands. It is important for Pantanal ecology and navigation.

Aripuanã

It is a tributary of the Madeira River in Mato Grosso and Amazonas. It drains forested uplands and joins a major Amazon tributary. It is included for basin relevance.

Piranhas-Açu

It is a river in northeastern Brazil that reaches the Atlantic near Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte. It serves regional irrigation and towns. It is notable in the semi-arid northeast.

Itapecuru

It is a river in Maranhão that flows north to the Atlantic. It supplies water to the state capital, São Luís. It is included for its local importance.

Jaguaribe

It is Ceará’s longest river and flows to the Atlantic. It runs through a semi-arid region with seasonal flows. It is important for local agriculture and water supply.

Paraíba

It is the main river of the state of Paraíba in northeastern Brazil. It flows east to the Atlantic and serves urban centers. It is distinct from Paraíba do Sul in the southeast.

Mucuri

It runs across eastern Brazil from Minas Gerais into Bahia and Espírito Santo to the Atlantic. It serves coastal towns and local farming zones. It is a regional coastal river.

Pelotas

It is a southern river in Rio Grande do Sul that helps form the Uruguay River. It flows through highland regions and joins Canoas to create the Uruguay. It is included for headwater importance.

Ivinhema

It is a tributary of the Paraná basin in Mato Grosso do Sul. It drains cerrado and wetland areas before joining larger rivers. It is important for local ecology and river networks.

Itajaí-Açu

It is a coastal river in Santa Catarina that reaches the Atlantic near Itajaí. It drains a populated industrial region and supports ports. It is included for economic and regional relevance.

Itapemirim

It flows in Espírito Santo from uplands to the Atlantic. It passes through agricultural and urban areas before reaching the sea. It is important for local water use and towns.

São Lourenço

It is a central Brazilian river name found in several states; the São Lourenço in Mato Grosso do Sul drains to the Paraguay basin. Rivers with this name serve regional drainage and wetlands. It is included as a representative regional river.

Capibaribe

It is a coastal river in Pernambuco that flows to the Atlantic at Recife. It crosses urban areas and historic towns. It is notable for its role in Pernambuco’s geography.

Ivaí

It is a tributary of the Paraná River in Paraná state. It drains central-southern Brazil and joins the Paraná below the confluence of major rivers. It is included for basin coverage.

Ribeira de Iguape

It runs in southern São Paulo and northeastern Paraná to the Atlantic. It drains a long coastal valley with preserved Atlantic Forest. It is notable for scenic valleys and biodiversity.

Araguari

It is a name used for rivers in different regions; the Araguari in Amapá flows to the Atlantic and is known for strong tidal effects. Rivers with this name appear on regional lists and deserve inclusion for local impact.

Rivers in Other Countries